Method and apparatus for operating a water cooler

Abstract

A method for operating a water cooler, wherein the water cooler includes a cooling system, a storage compartment assembly, a water dispenser assembly, and a climate control assembly including a thermostat and a control capillary, includes coupling the control capillary to the thermostat, and coupling the thermostat to the cooling system such that the thermostat controls the operational state of the cooling system. The method includes positioning the control capillary adjacent each of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly, determining the temperature of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the control capillary, and cooling the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the cooling system.

1. A method for operating a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a cooling system, a storage compartment assembly, a water dispenser assembly, and a climate control assembly including a thermostat and a control capillary, said method comprising:
 coupling the control capillary to the thermostat; 
 coupling the thermostat to the cooling system such that the thermostat controls the operational state of the cooling system; 
 positioning the control capillary adjacent at least one of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly; 
 determining the temperature of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the control capillary; and 
 cooling the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the cooling system. 
 
   
   
     2. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said determining the temperature comprises simultaneously determining the temperature of each of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the control capillary. 
   
   
     3. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said positioning the control capillary comprises coupling a portion of the control capillary to the storage compartment assembly, and coupling a portion of the control capillary to the water dispenser assembly. 
   
   
     4. A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the water dispenser assembly includes an interior wall and an exterior wall, the water dispenser assembly is configured to store a liquid for cooling, the climate control assembly includes a sensing tube coupled to the interior wall of the water dispenser assembly and extending within the water dispenser assembly such that the sensing tube contacts the liquid stored within the water dispenser assembly, said coupling a portion of the control capillary to the water dispenser assembly comprises positioning the control capillary within the sensing tube for a length such that the control capillary is configured to determine a temperature of the liquid. 
   
   
     5. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cooling system includes an evaporator thermally coupled in series to the water dispenser assembly and the storage compartment assembly, said positioning the control capillary comprises coupling the control capillary to a downstream end of the evaporator such that the temperature determined by the control capillary relates to the warmest temperature in the cooling system. 
   
   
     6. A water cooler comprising:
 a cooling system; 
 a storage compartment assembly configured to be cooled by said cooling system; 
 a water dispenser assembly configured to be cooled by said cooling system; and 
 a climate control assembly for operating said cooling system, said climate control assembly comprising a thermostat, and a control capillary coupled to said thermostat, said control capillary for determining a temperature of said storage compartment assembly and said water dispenser assembly. 
 
   
   
     7. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said cooling system comprises at least one evaporator for cooling each of said storage compartment assembly and said water dispenser assembly, a portion of said control capillary coupled to said evaporator. 
   
   
     8. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said water dispenser assembly further comprises a sensing tube coupled to an interior wall of said reservoir and extending within said reservoir such that said sensing tube contacts the liquid stored within said reservoir, said control capillary extends within said sensing tube for a length. 
   
   
     9. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 6  wherein a portion of said control capillary coupled to said storage compartment assembly, a portion of said control capillary coupled to said water dispenser assembly. 
   
   
     10. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said control capillary is filled with a gas that expands and contracts as an ambient temperature changes. 
   
   
     11. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the water dispenser assembly comprises a liquid container configured to supply liquid to said liquid dispenser, a reservoir configured to store the liquid supplied by said liquid container, an evaporator coupled to said cooling system and configured to cool the liquid stored in said reservoir, wherein said portion of said control capillary coupled to said water dispenser assembly is coupled to said reservoir such that said control capillary is configured to determine a temperature of the liquid stored in said reservoir. 
   
   
     12. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said control capillary is coupled to said reservoir such that said portion of said control capillary is coupled to a bottom of said reservoir for a length. 
   
   
     13. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said water dispenser assembly further comprises an insulating shell extending at least partially around at least one of said reservoir and said evaporator, said control capillary coupled between said insulating shell and said at least one of said reservoir and said evaporator. 
   
   
     14. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said storage compartment assembly comprises at least one sidewall and a door defining a storage cavity, said portion of said control capillary coupled to said storage compartment assembly is coupled to one of said at least one sidewalls for a length such that said control capillary is configured to determine a temperature of said storage cavity. 
   
   
     15. A water cooler in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said storage compartment assembly comprises at least one sidewall and a door defining a storage cavity, said portion of said control capillary coupled to said storage compartment assembly extends at least partially into said storage cavity for a length such that said control capillary is configured to determine a temperature of said storage cavity. 
   
   
     16. A climate control assembly for a water cooler, the water cooler including a cooling system that cools at least two cooling units, said climate control assembly comprising:
 a thermostat for operating the cooling system; and 
 a control capillary coupled to said thermostat, said control capillary for simultaneously determining a temperature of a first of the cooling units and a second of the cooling units. 
 
   
   
     17. A climate control assembly in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the cooling system includes an evaporator for cooling the cooling units, a portion of said control capillary configured to be coupled to the evaporator. 
   
   
     18. A climate control assembly in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said control capillary comprises a length, a portion of said control capillary configured to be coupled to the first cooling unit, a portion of said control capillary configured to be coupled to the second cooling unit. 
   
   
     19. A climate control assembly in accordance with  claim 18  wherein said first cooling unit is configured to store a liquid for cooling, said control capillary is coupled directly to the first cooling unit for a length such that said control capillary is configured to determine a temperature of the liquid. 
   
   
     20. A climate control assembly in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the second cooling unit includes at least one sidewall and a door defining a storage cavity, said portion of said control capillary coupled to the second cooling unit is coupled to one of the at least one sidewalls for a length such that said control capillary is configured to determine a temperature of the storage cavity.